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Mitchell Johnson is determined to make life as uncomfortable as possible for England's batsmen in the Ashes.

Last Updated: 12/11/13 5:29pm

The much-maligned speedster has been recalled to the Australia squad for next week's opening Test in Brisbane following a series of impressive performances against England and India in the one-day arena.

Johnson, overlooked for Australia's 3-0 Ashes defeat in England last summer, gave Jonathan Trott in particular a torrid time in the subsequent NatWest Series.

The fiery left-armer admits he will be gunning for Trott and captain Alastair Cook in his return to Test cricket, and he warned England's batsmen to expect a barrage of short-pitched bowling.

Johnson told the Sydney Morning Herald: "I look at the England one-day series and really went hard at a few of those players, in particular Trott.

"I think he's come out and said he's not worried about the short ball. But we saw what he was like in the one-day series - he definitely didn't like it.

"There's guys in their team we'll definitely go after."

At the mention of Cook's name, he added: "If I can get a few of those rearing balls towards the ribs or those throat balls, and if he gets in the way of it, that's his own fault.

"You'd rather get the wicket more than anything; you get a lot of joy out of that when you get a player like that out.

"I have a look at last summer, and (Sri Lanka's Kumar) Sangakkara was an example. I've busted his finger, and he's one of their best players. So they were one short, and I got a couple of those in the middle order.

"If you can't get them out, that's the second option."

Australia captain Michael Clarke has tipped recalled pace bowler Johnson to scoop the man of the series award during this winter's Ashes.

"I said a couple of days ago that if Mitch was selected in this squad it wouldn't surprise me in a couple of months' time you see Mitch being man of the series," he said.

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